Is this the year California finally grabs the attention of vehicle operators who drink and drive?
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation in collaboration with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) have launched a year long $6.1million campaign focused on reducing impaired driving incidents up and down the State. The “Bring Impairment Down” campaign, funded by the OTS grant runs through September 30, 2025, and combines education and enforcement to make California’s roads safer. These efforts aim to remove impaired drivers from the road and increase awareness about Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
The local CHP Area Office in Crescent City provided the following 2024 statistics for vehicular collisions:
• Total crashes: 311
• Possible injuries: 71
• Minor injuries: 81
• Serious injuries: 18
• DUI crashes: 37
• Fatal crashes: 6
• DUI Arrests: 191
These statistics do not include CCPD or DNSD crashes / arrests currently under investigation.
DUI continues to be a significant threat to public safety. Last year, 1,089 people were killed by DUI drivers and 27,306 were injured in alcohol-involved crashes across the Golden State. These sobering statistics underscored the need to address drunk and drug driving. These tragedies can be avoided pleads the CHP. This past month, 32 year old Shakiyla Bryant, Smith River was convicted of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter when the twice-DUI convicted Bryant killed 52 year old Winston Ray Luttrell, also of Smith River, September 23, while riding his Harley on 101 at Smith River Road and slammed into Bryant’s vehicle, as she was oblivious to the STOP sign at that intersection. Bryant blew a .18 alcohol. She has been sentenced to 10 years in State Prison. Ms. Bryant is enjoying the Holidays until she reports to custody. Winston Ray Luttrell will never enjoy the Holidays, his family, friends and life, because of Shakiyla Bryant. Let that sit in the next time you drive your car or truck.
The public’s help is greatly needed. Drive Defensively! That means, operate your three ton vehicle as if it were a weapon and the vehicles surrounding your vehicle are actually trying to strike you. Leave lots of space between you and that inebriated driver in your immediate vicinity. If you observe an erratic driver. Please call 9-1-1 and report the incident immediately.